Lando Norris responds to Red Bull and returns to work with simulator sessions in Woking
The 2026 Formula 1 season is just beginning, and while the first on-track tests for the new era have yet to take place, the rivalry between McLaren and Red Bull is already taking center stage. Overnight in Detroit, the Austrian team unveiled its striking new livery for the upcoming season, which Max Verstappen will aim to turn into victories, while celebrating a highly anticipated new partnership with Ford.
Just hours later, McLaren offered its own social media ‘response’ directly from the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, with a video featuring reigning world champion Lando Norris. Only 40 days ago, Lando Norris celebrated his first career championship in Abu Dhabi, narrowly edging out Max Verstappen by two points. While Norris made no direct mention of his rivals in the video, the timing of its release gives it the feel of a subtle reply in the ongoing McLaren vs Red Bull narrative.
Lando Norris kicks off the 2026 season
In the video message to fans, Norris said that 2026 had already started with him back at work. He explained, “Hello everyone, welcome back. This is my first video recorded in 2026, but it’s actually my second day [at work], not the first. Yesterday, everything started again from scratch, and it doesn’t feel like much time has passed since I was talking to you in Abu Dhabi. I’m excited. It’s a completely new season. We almost have to forget everything we knew before. It’s like throwing most of it out the window because this is a fresh start, a clean, blank sheet for everyone.”
Back in the simulator
Lando Norris revealed that he is already fully operational, having spent two days in the simulator. He explained, “Today I was on the simulator, and also yesterday. There are so many new things, new questions, new challenges, new details, and things I need to memorize. We’re doing our best to make sure we’re as prepared as possible. The tests are at the end of the month, so time flies.”
For now, the new season-long duel with Max Verstappen appears to have already unofficially begun, with McLaren and its champion ready to face the challenge head-on.
Lando Norris’s immediate return to the simulator highlights the shift in mindset required for a defending champion entering a regulatory revolution. By framing the 2026 season as a “clean slate,” Norris is acknowledging that his 2025 triumph provides no guarantee of performance under the new engine and aerodynamic rules. This early “social media response” to Red Bull’s Ford partnership launch signals that McLaren is not resting on its laurels, setting the tone for a season where the technical mastery of the new power units will be just as important as the psychological battle between the two title protagonists.
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